The presents had been bought mostly with Carol's
story money, and were selected after long consultations with Mrs.
Bird. Each girl had a blue knitted hood, and each boy a red
crocheted comforter, all made by Mama, Carol and Elfrida
("because if you buy everything, it doesn't show so much love,"
said Carol). Then every girl had a pretty plaid dress of a
different color, and every boy a warm coat of the right size.
Here the useful presents stopped, and they were quite enough; but
Carol had pleaded to give them something "for fun." "I know they
need the clothes," she had said, when they were talking over the
matter just after Thanksgiving, "but they don't care much
for them, after all. Now, Papa, won't you PLEASE let me go
without part of my presents this year, and give me the money they
would cost, to buy something to amuse them?"
"You can have both," said Mr. Bird, promptly; "is there any need
of my little girl's going without her Christmas, I should like to
know? Spend all the money you like."
"But that isn't the thing," objected Carol, nestling close to her
father; "it wouldn't be mine.
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